“To run away from trouble is a form of cowardice and, while it is true that the suicide braves death, he does it not for some noble object but to escape some ill.”– Aristotle

Amidst the fan-mob that anything Korean brings, another aspect of this supposedly exciting and admirable culture is a very disturbing fact. Korea is recorded to have the highest suicide rate among developed countries. In 2021, 13,000 gave up their lives with 26 out of 100,000 committing this ghastly act.

In 2021, this country topped the suicide rate with 25.7 among highly developed countries followed by Lithuania (20.3), Slovenia (15.7), Japan (14.6), and the US (14.1).

But why do people commit suicide? What is it in a country that makes many of their citizens want to end their lives? Is this a societal or individual ailment?

Experts state that economic crisis can be considered a major cause of depression and suicide in a society.

Publication Mint stated that concerns about economic decline in South Korea and other developed countries continue to rise, which could further increase the burden on households and businesses. Aside from the looming economic crisis, probably worsened by the pandemic, other major reasons for the high suicide rate in South Korea are more often attributed to academic pressure, work pressure, the stigma around mental health, and the absence of social welfare for the elderly.

Nowhere is suicide more pronounced than in youngsters as according to koreabiomed it is the number 1 cause of death among persons aged 10-39 in their 2021 data.

Pressure in all forms simply is the ultimate killer. Their youth, who are encouraged to excel and are rewarded accordingly if they do (as can be seen in the numerous kpop groups that just burst in the entertainment arena enjoying millions of followers globally) are pressured to continually do so or else face banishment. I have heard of their grueling routine (dusk to dawn rehearsals) and harsh rules (no romantic affiliations) to be able to say that they breathe pressure.

I think it’s time their powers that be take note of this sad reality and just like this country, give mental health the importance it deserves. The quest for perfection and beauty may all be inspirational and admirable but what use if it hides a dark reality and the greatest ugly of all: untimely death of its future.